AD/A109/12 - Main Landing Gear Stiffening Struts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B01796, was introduced to address a safety concern with Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, specifically the structural integrity of the main landing gear stiffening struts. This piece of legislation mandates the replacement of specific screws with stronger bolts and establishes a stringent inspection schedule to mitigate the risk of structural damage in these helicopters. The overarching policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by preventing mechanical failures through rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols. This regulatory action, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, responds to documented instances of damage around the main landing gear upper brackets, which were attributed to loose attachment screws. The directive mandates that all Agusta A109A and A109AII helicopters comply with specific maintenance actions outlined in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No 109-67. The regulations require compliance prior to a specified date and at regular intervals thereafter, ensuring that the helicopters meet the necessary safety standards to prevent in-flight incidents.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A109/12 applies specifically to Agusta A109A and A109AII series helicopters, as detailed in the accompanying Requirement document. This directive pertains to the main landing gear (MLG) stiffening struts and mandates compliance with Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No 109-67. It is designed to address reported cases of structural damage in the area surrounding the MLG upper brackets, which are believed to result from looseness of MLG stiffening strut attachment screws. The directive requires the replacement of MS 27039-1-08 screws with AN 3-4A bolts and stipulates a schedule for inspections to ensure ongoing airworthiness. Compliance with Part I of the directive must be achieved before 31 May 1988, with further inspections and actions required every 600 flight hours as per Part II, and immediate action is mandated if any cracks are detected during these inspections as outlined in Part III. The directive ensures that all affected helicopters adhere to these safety measures, thus maintaining their airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Agusta A109 Series Helicopters (sections 39.105.010 and 39.105.020). This AD pertains to the main landing gear stiffening struts of A109A and A109AII helicopters, as outlined in the AD/A109/12. The directive mandates that the actions be taken in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No 109-67 and references RAI AD 88-37/A109-47. The requirement includes three distinct compliance parts (sections 39.105.030 to 39.105.050). Part I mandates that the action be completed before 31 May 1988 unless already accomplished. Part II requires compliance every 600 flight hours. Part III necessitates compliance before further flight if any cracks are found during compliance with Parts I and II. The AD imposes specific obligations on helicopter operators and owners, ensuring that the identified safety issues are addressed promptly and effectively. Operators must adhere to the specified timelines and requirements for replacing the MS 27039-1-08 screws with AN 3-4A bolts and conducting the necessary inspections (sections 39.105.060 and 39.105.070). This includes ensuring that all required actions are documented and maintained in the aircraft's maintenance records to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in severe safety risks and potential grounding of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also outlines the consequences for non-compliance with the AD. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties and legal ramifications. Under section 39.105.080, any breach of the AD can be considered an offence, leading to criminal charges against the operator or owner of the helicopter. The penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment (sections 39.105.090 and 39.105.100). Additionally, civil penalties may be imposed, and the operator may face further administrative actions, including the suspension or revocation of their air operator certificate (AOC). These stringent measures are in place to ensure that all safety directives are adhered to rigorously, thereby maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.